Connect Your Instagram Feed

After importing your Hello You Designs demo, you’ll need to connect your own Instagram account before the feed will display on your website.

Most of the demo settings are already configured for you—once your account is connected, your feed should begin displaying automatically.

Create Your Feed

Step 1: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Instagram Feed → All Feeds.

Step 2: Click Add New.

Step 3: Select User Timeline, then click Next.

Step 4: Click Add Source and follow the Smash Balloon prompts to connect your Instagram account.

Step 5: Select your connected account and click Next.

Configure the Feed

In most cases, the demo import has already configured the feed settings for you.

If you’re creating the feed from scratch, compare your settings to the theme demo and adjust them to match.

Willow Demo Settings For Example

Under Customize → Feed Layout:

  • Feed Padding: 0
  • Number of Posts: 8
  • Number of Columns:
    • Desktop: 8
    • Tablet: 4
    • Mobile: 3

This creates one row of eight images on desktop, two rows of four on tablet, and two rows of three on mobile.

Match the Demo Styling

To match the Hello You Designs demos, disable the optional Smash Balloon elements.

Hide the Header

In the Settings for your Instagram feed go to:

Customize → Sections → Header

Toggle Enable Header Off.

Hide the Load More Button

In the Settings for your Instagram feed go to:

Customize → Settings → Load More

Toggle Enable Off.

Hide the Follow Button

In the Settings for your Instagram feed go to:

Customize → Settings → Follow Button

Toggle Enable Off.

These settings match the demo, but you’re welcome to leave them enabled if you prefer.

If Your Feed Doesn’t Display

If your Instagram feed doesn’t appear after connecting your account:

Step 1: Copy the shortcode for your newly created feed.

Step 2: Go to Appearance → Widgets.

Step 3: Locate the widget area used for your theme’s Instagram section.

Step 4: Replace the demo Instagram shortcode with the shortcode from your new feed.

Save your changes and refresh your website.

Helpful tip:

Each Hello You Designs theme may use slightly different feed settings to match the design. If you’re unsure which options to use, simply compare your feed to the live demo and adjust the layout to match.